NAACP Retracts Shirley Sherrod Statement, Says It Was "Snookered" by Fox News, Andrew Breitbart

CBS

Updated July 21, 9:30 a.m. ET

When news first broke about apparent racially charged comments made by former Department of Agriculture employee Shirley Sherrod, the NAACP backed her departure from the agency.

Sherrod served as director of rural development in Georgia until she came under fire for remarks she gave at an NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet on March 27. A video of a portion of her remarks were posted on conservative commentator and editor Andrew Breitbart's biggovernment.com site, giving the impression that Sherrod admitted to discriminating against a white farmer.

"Racism is about the abuse of power. Sherrod had it in her position at USDA. According to her remarks, she mistreated a white farmer in need of assistance because of his race," NAACP President Benjamin Jealous said in a statement at the time.

But tonight, the NAACP has changed is mind as the full context of the original remarks was revealed -- including the fact that the incident in question happened 24 years ago (before she worked for the USDA) and the farmers involved have praised Sherrod's efforts on their behalf, calling her a "friend for life."

"With regard to the initial media coverage of the resignation of USDA Official Shirley Sherrod, we have come to the conclusion we were snookered by Fox News and Tea Party Activist Andrew Breitbart into believing she had harmed white farmers because of racial bias," a new statement from Jealous released on Tuesday night said.

"Having reviewed the full tape, spoken to Ms. Sherrod, and most importantly heard the testimony of the white farmers mentioned in this story, we now believe the organization that edited the documents did so with the intention of deceiving millions of Americans," the statement added.

Responding to the charge against Fox News, "Special Report" anchor Bret Baier last night denied the cable news network "snookered" the NAACP or anyone else over the story.

"Fox News didn't even do the story. We didn't do it on 'Special Report.' We posted it online," Baier said.

The NAACP statement called for Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to reconsider his decision to fire Sherrod, while adding that "we understand why Secretary Vilsack believes this false controversy will impede her ability to function in the role."

Finally, the civil rights group called this episode a "teachable moment, for activists and for journalists."

"The NAACP has a zero tolerance policy against racial discrimination, whether practiced by blacks, whites, or any other group," the statement said. "Most Americans agree that racism has no place in American Society. We also believe that civil and human rights have to be measured by a single yardstick. The NAACP has demonstrated its commitment to live by that standard."

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Watch the Remarks

[cdrakeau]

Ben Jealous was dumb to comment on the situation before knowing the facts to begin with. I'm not a fan of Fox News and the Tea Party, but how easy it is to use them as scapegoats.

[lilbear925]

See? The NAACP actually thought they knew the truth and were glad this person said what was attributed to her. Now, since it was false, and the NAACP liked it, that smacks of racism, pure and simple. Why is there even an agency dedicated to the "advancement of colored people" if the only color they are concerned with is black? Everyone should benefit from the agency's efforts, but they are definitely biased toward one race -- and against all others!

[rocketjl]

Not my fault. FOX made me do it. I know others said it and the White House told her boss to fire her, but it was only FOX that made me think it was the truth. Go figure.

[dolphinpa]

It was an NAACP event - they were snookered by a news organization whom they do not trust and, I suspect, that one of their members provided the video? Seriously? They should take responsibility for their actions and not blame someone else.

[msjb1]

yep blame fox news the only 2 sided news on tv If you dont believe that you must be blind, you better get a tv that shows brail. One thing about NAACP they are never wrong just ask them It is always someone else thats to blame, or throw out the old race card trick that works everytime try opening your eyes see the world as it is we are so much further ahead than 50 years ago you people would have had a stroke if you had a say back in the fiftys and sixtys

[buffalobaroness1]

Before you start feeling sorry for this opportunist there is far more to the story. She has been a pain in the USDA's arse for way too long. She and her husband founded an organization that is supposed to help the black farmer if he is discrminated against by the USDA. Well, guess what, this organization was recently paid out a $14 milliion dollar settlement and the farmers that were discriminated against received money to make amends but guess who also had their hand out, that's right...Sherrod and her husband. They each received $150,000.00 (total of $300,000.00) for pain and suffering. Did I mention, neither of these two are farmers. As the USDA said, when the suit was filed people were coming from everywhere filing a claim, many who had no connection to farming. Discrimination runs rampant folks. I wonder what would have happened to the white USDA rep. who made the same statement??? NAACP, you're a joke! Your support of the Black Panthers and their sham of an organization discredits everything you claim you stand for.

[karlejohn]

Fox news, you did it again. From Acorn to this. Nothing but lies. Are you a news company or a communist company? Are you American owned or Russians owned?

[massey24]

The NAACP are the racists. Not Shirley Sherrod.

[wheatss]

Fox news did not report this until she had already resigned. The white house acted stupidly by jumping the gun without investigating this.

[dercat001]

No, sorry, they were already reporting on this before she resigned. I agree the USDA did not act properly on this, but they are probably shell shocked by all the garbage that the right wing network (FOX)aka the neo Ministry of Propoganda, throws at them every day.

[heavynne]

It's a shame, but apparently racism is very much alive in America. Believe me, the NAACP does need to remain. Even with such organizations, people of color are denied good jobs, even if qualified, decent housing, etc. It's true, for those of you who want to say it doesn't exist and the reason being whites who don't experience it on that level don't care. It has been documented many times and is factual, but nothing is ever done about it until it is made public. Pretending that it doesn't exist is no longer acceptable. The ones benefitting from it want to keep it alive. But it is ironic that whites seem to be looking for racism against their own since blacks are in positions of power. Maybe it's fear of the shoe on the other foot or maybe even EQUAL JUSTICE for others and not just them.